Mazda6

A new grille and updated headlights with standard fog lights grace the 2018 Mazda6.

The Mazda6 has never lacked for awesomeness. At least concerning its style.

A long-missing ingredient was always a more powerful engine, one to supplement the standard powertrain, which delivers 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This year, the new engine is in place. Or rather, the current engine has a turbocharged option.

Yes, the big news this year is the addition of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even bigger news would be an all-wheel-drive system on top of that. Alas, all-wheel drive isn’t even an option. For now, you have a choice of two performance flavors and five trims. Read on and we’ll take a closer look at the updated model.

The changes this year — beyond the newly available turbo engine — include tweaks to the exterior, a new dashboard design and improved cabin materials. Other changes for this third-generation Mazda6 include safety and technology updates.

A Matter of Style

New seats are among the changes for 2018.

The Mazda6 has long offered an evocative canvas. In the opinion of this writer, it is the most handsome one in the segment. The front fascia has a look that punches above the segment with its revised gaping grille and ornate “eyes.” Sweeping curves caress the body. Strong shoulders offer a glimpse of the power that now goes with the new engine. The rear deck is pulled up and has its share of creases and curves.

Inside, the Mazda6 has a new dashboard design to show for it. Specifically, you will find a seven-inch reconfigurable display. Mazda also redesigned the seats, adding high-density, vibration absorbing urethane foam. Upgraded materials include Nappa leather, ultra suede and Japanese sen wood. My test Signature model had the suede trim, which liberally covered the lower dash and door inlays. Again, this sedan punches above its weight.

Safety and Technology

The standard audio system with the 2018 Mazda6 is a six-speaker audio system, an 8-inch color screen and a rearview camera. Bluetooth, USB audio input and an auxiliary jack are also included.

Mazda supplies a control knob for its interface and it took time for me to get used to it. Essentially, you will access what you want, such as the audio system, by clicking on the command dial and finding your preferred station. It is more of a distraction than it should be.

Available equipment includes an 11-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio and a navigation system.

Under the Hood: A Closer Look at the Turbo

Regardless of the fuel choice, the turbo engine produces 310 lb.-ft. of torque.

As expected, the Mazda6 sent my way had the turbo engine. The Sport and Touring models come with the naturally aspirated version, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on the base model. Everywhere else is a six-speed automatic. Despite not offering a manual with the turbo, Mazda does add steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The turbo powering the Mazda6 is the same one found under the hood of the Mazda CX-9. Mazda calls it a Dynamic Pressure Turbo system, which combines characteristics of twin-scroll and variable-geometry turbos in a small package.

The system mitigates turbo lag by restricting exhaust flow at a low RPM, enabling air or gas to move rapidly through the engine compartments. Thus, air travels to the turbocharger immediately, spooling up the same faster than with a standard turbo.

With a turbo under the hood, the Mazda6 is transformed from a mild player into a wild beast. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but the power improvement is quite noticeable. Specifically, with premium fuel powering this model, it makes 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Further, it still can safely take regular gasoline, although your horsepower drops to 227, while the torque performance stays the same.

Think about this for a moment: Even with regular grade (87 octane), the turbocharged Mazda6 gains a 21-percent boost in horsepower (227 v. 187), but a whopping 66-percent boost in torque (310 v. 186), regardless of the fuel used. So, there is no need to pay extra for premium gasoline, which typically costs as much as 50 cents more per gallon to gain a net 33-percent boost in horsepower. By the way, torque is measured by the power that kicks in when you’re passing.

This Mazda6 competes with the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan’s Altima.

On the Road: Turbo Mazda6

As for what the turbocharged Mazda6 does on the road, it takes an already smart handling model and amplifies it. But there is one important caveat here: there is so much power sent to the front wheels that torque steer is a real thing. And despite torque vectoring technology included and designed to limit it.

New trim materials, including ultra suede, grace some Mazda6 models.

To wit, while stopped at a traffic light and anticipating making a sharp (60-degree angle) turn, I learned just how much this model swings when pulling out of a corner. As I stepped on the gas, built up some speed and turned the steering wheel to the left, the rear wheels swung to the right. It wasn’t wholly unanticipated as I figured that this would happen.

One way to avoid the problem is by applying a light touch to the accelerator until the road evens out. That’s no fun, especially if you’re on a curvy highway entrance ramp and need to pick up speed as the lanes merge. With all-wheel drive, the rear wheels would have kicked in, stabilizing the sedan.

We got Mazda to respond to our earlier cries for a more powerful engine. Now take those cries and turn them into pleas for all-wheel drive.

Parting Thoughts: 2018 Mazda6

The world is shifting to crossovers and that means the Mazda6’s new engine arrives as consumer attention is elsewhere. Although it isn’t likely to create a net increase in sales, the new engine may very well stem the tide away from midsize sedans. Or at least this one. I’m not going to state, “too little, too late,” as some of my colleagues have opined, but there is truth in that statement.

For everyone else, the Mazda6 takes what is already a very good sedan and makes it better with the turbo option. Perhaps the only thing holding me back from giving it an unreservedly top score is a lack of an all-wheel-drive option. It is a curious omission, especially since all-wheel drive has always been an option in markets such as Japan and Europe.

This 2018 Mazda6 is available in five trims, including this top-shelf Signature edition.

The car segment is under assault with consumers preferring crossovers in greater numbers as the reason for the shrinking demand. Indeed, overall car sales (coupes, sedans, and wagons) fell by 8.1 percent in 2016 in a passenger vehicle market that rose by a net 0.4 percent.

Manufacturers have no plans to abandon the segment en masse, although the Chrysler 200 is one recent casualty in the market (the Mitsubishi Galant is another). In any case, the mainstream segment has long been led by the Toyota Camry with the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion among the top sellers.

The Mazda Mazda6 (Mazda6 from this point forward) competes in this segment and typically battles lower-tier sellers such as the Volkswagen Passat for positioning. The Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and Kia Optima are other models to consider.

One model rarely mentioned due to its premium status is the Buick Regal, a slightly smaller sedan that could very well be the best vehicle to consider when comparing one to the Mazda6. For it is the top-trim Grand Touring model that pulls out all the stops, supplying numerous upmarket enhancements, including a head-up display and leather interior at the top-trim level. In this example, the Grand Touring edition matches well with the Regal.

2017 Mazda6

The 2017 Mazda6 is available in three trims: Sport ($22,995), Touring ($25,245), and Grand Touring ($30,695). One four-cylinder engine choice is available. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the two lower trims, while a six-speed automatic is standard on the Grand Touring and available elsewhere.

New this year is G-vectoring control and 50-state emissions certification for PZEV models. All models receive a new exterior mirror design, specifically a turn lamp design change. Inside, you’ll also find a new steering wheel design as well as a new seat back pocket layout. Enhanced sound insulation is included as well.

Package shuffling is evident elsewhere, including the addition of a backup camera and Mazda Connect infotainment system to the base model. On the Touring model, you’ll now find smart city brake support technology along with automatic on and off headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Additional safety and technology features accompany the Grand Touring edition.

Mazda6 Design and a Grand Touring Edition

Although I would have been happy to drive a Mazda6 paired with a six-speed gearbox, Mazda sent a Grand Touring edition my way. So, no stick.

I wasn’t disappointed as I chose to focus on the positives and there were many to consider. Notably, the exterior design is simply phenomenal — at the risk of sounding like a Mazda sycophant, I must say that the complete design is stunning — from the trapezoidal grille to the bolstered shoulders and all the way back to the rear deck, the lines on the Mazda6 are a joy to behold.

Mazda calls the design “soul of motion” or KODO — what represents a design formulation peculiar to the brand. KODO places an emphasis on a vehicle’s elements and then adds what Mazda describes as “self-restrained dignity and sensuality.” The idea here is to connect with people on an emotional level — in my opinion, the Mazda6 is wildly successful here.

But the luscious exterior design doesn’t stop there. It extends to the interior where you’ll find sculpted lines across the dashboard, on the door panels, and across the seats. There is nothing utilitarian about the Mazda6’s interior. Especially in the Grand Touring level where you’ll find liberal use of Nappa leather and high-end material throughout. This is where a comparison to the Buick Regal is warranted — and I think the Mazda has the better interior of the two.

Top Tech Features

I give Mazda high marks in all things technology, particularly with the Grand Touring edition. Here, you get a few features not available elsewhere, including a head-up display, an automatic dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and a delicious Bose 11-speaker sound system.

The head-up display projects through a small, translucent screen that sits on top of the dashboard directly in front of the steering wheel. By no means is it in the way. This is the first time I’ve seen such a screen used — typically, the screen sits face down on the dash with the image projected from the screen.

Mazda’s infotainment/navigation screen is one of the best I’ve seen apart from a luxury model. The screen sits on top of the lower dash next to the ignition button. I like the maps as well as the detailed charts — the screen pinpointing the number of GPS satellite serving the car held my attention, especially as it shifted from 10 to nine and back again. You could “see” where they were located in the sky and see individual bar scores and an accuracy grade. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what each readout meant, but gosh, it certainly serves as eye candy for tech geeks.

All models come with Bluetooth, two USB ports, an auxiliary audio port, and a multifunction command controller. A rearview camera is standard and every model is equipped with a seven-inch color display.

All Things Safety

We’d be remiss not to look at safety features, given how important this is to today’s new-car buying consumers.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Mazda6 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ recipient, the highest award bestowed by the institute, which is funded chiefly by the nation’s top insurance companies.

The award this year is even more significant, given that the IIHS upgraded its standards to include headlight illumination. Here, the Mazda6 performed just average, but that’s not bad given that many other models tested had failed in this new scoring category. Only a “failing” grade here would keep a model from claiming the top score.

On the Road

Mazda offers just one engine with the Mazda6 — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 184 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque. This high-compression engine squeezes out more power than similar-sized engines from Honda and Chevrolet, but manages to do so without having an adverse effect on fuel economy.

Models paired with an automatic transmission are currently EPA-rated at 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. If you are familiar with the model line, then you know past models were rated as high as 40 mpg, but the EPA recently recalculated fuel economy to better reflect real-world conditions according to USA Today.

Press hard on the accelerator and the Mazda6 moves away from a dead stop with authority. The engine steadily picks up speed and the transmission shifts just when you expect it to. Performance is adequate, but nothing more. Handling is balanced, the ride is smooth, and braking is firm.

What the Mazda6 lacks is either a turbo four or a naturally-aspirated V6. Most competitors offer at least two engine options (the Ford Focus offers three). Unfortunately, Mazda only offers an all-four-cylinder lineup, essentially mandating a “take it or leave it” policy when it comes to its cars. That means both the Mazda6 and the three-row CX-9 SUV rely on four-cylinder engines. So, if you want performance, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Parting Thoughts

To get the top end Mazda6, you’ll pay about $35,000 for a Grand Touring edition. That’s about as high you’ll go in this segment, but you’d also typically be supplied with all-wheel drive (Fusion Sport) or a V6 engine (e.g., Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or Chevrolet Malibu).

With the Mazda6 Grand Touring edition and its chief competitors, you will need to carefully compare interiors as well as amenities. The Grand Touring edition comes in at a lower price than the Buick Regal, but you don’t get an all-wheel drive option. What you do have is a roomier interior, one with no-compromise space for five and the jaw-dropping looks that simply make the Mazda6 one worth including on your upscale midsize sedan shopping list.